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Experience Canada s Aboriginal Heritage This Summer
cotourism is catching on situated at the historic
all over the world. An fur-trading route alongside the
ecotourism adventure North Saskatchewan River an hour
vacation takes you to amazing east of Edmonton, symbolize an
destinations and immerses you in important development in Canada's
another culture. For travelers Aboriginal community.
looking for an ecotourism
experience this summer, the Explore Métis Crossing
province of Alberta in Canada
offers a variety of Aboriginal Canada's Métis citizens - the
experiences and attractions, mixed-blood offspring of European
celebrating the recorded history pioneers and the region's First
of its first inhabitants more Nations inhabitants - were until
than 12,000 years ago. From recently considered the nation's
celebrated provincial historic 'forgotten people'. The official
sites to little-known historic opening of Metis Crossing near
spots, there are numerous the town of Smoky Lake last year
opportunities for travelers to heralded a long-overdue
explore Alberta's cultural roots. acknowledgement of the unique
culture, history, language and
There's fiddle music in the air accomplishments of this unique
and no shortage of pride among Aboriginal group.
the throngs of people gathered on
the grassy riverbank to watch Visitors to Canada's first major
Alberta's Aboriginal heritage Metis interpretive centre,
unfold in a swirl of puffy situated on 512 acres where
skirts, Metis sashes and square traders and First Nations
dance-style revelry. The cultural gathered for centuries to ply
festivities at Metis Crossing their wares, have plenty to keep
cultural and interpretive centre, them entertained and informed.
They can munch on bannock, the It's also the jumping-off point
traditional unleavened bread, to the world's second largest
learn how to weave a colorful national park - Wood Buffalo
Metis sash, watch animal hides National Park.
being tanned, check out the
technical skills required to You can find incredible wildlife
erect a trapper's tent or learn watching, Aboriginal cultural
about the history and culture on experiences and world-famous
individual or guided tours. Athabasca pickerel (a tasty
freshwater fish exclusive to
Celebrate History in Fort northern Canada) in Fort
Chipewyan Chipewyan. It's a unique,
untouched community accessible by
Fine. Maybe Jellied Moose Nose, boat or air from the cities of
Smoked Muskrat or Lynx Stew isn't Fort McMurray or Edmonton, and by
your cup of tea. But for the winter road in the colder months.
First Nations people who carved
out a living in the rugged wilds Escaping it all may mean a stay
of Northeast Alberta, nature's at Moose Crossing, a picturesque
backyard was also their kitchen. tent camp and lodge north of Fort
Chip on the expansive Athabasca
These delicacies aren't likely to River delta. (Owners Alice and
be on the menu these days, but John Rigney, longtime residents
there's a bounty of fresh fare on of the area, have catered to
tap from the vast and pristine travelers from around the world
Lake Athabasca. One of Alberta's with their traditional
oldest communities, the hamlet of hunting/wildlife watching
Fort Chipewyan is located just a knowledge and experience).
few hundred miles south of the
Northwest Territories border. Enjoy a guided or self-guided
hike through the national park, overwhelmed with the natural
or a well-deserved stop in the beauty of the area, and
Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial particularly impressed with the
Museum - a treasure trove of Aboriginal cultural programs we
local lore that rivals any offer," says Doug Heckbert, who
big-city archive. (Be sure to owns the retreat with business
check out the society's partner Rick Hanneman
centennial cookbook, jam-packed
with recipes including those The centre offers a range of
tantalizing tidbits listed activities supported by local
above). Aboriginal elders and cultural
experts, including tipi stays,
Retreat in Elk Island spiritual talking circles and
some purifying sweat lodge
Just one hour from the capital ceremonies. "There's a lot of
City of Edmonton, the Elk Island appreciation now for Aboriginal
Retreat is a campground, tipi culture and spiritual practices,"
camp and cultural centre, says Heckbert. "The kids love it
boasting an authentic experience . . . and the adults have a deep
that has wowed travelers from appreciation of the Aboriginal
around the world. Situated in a teachings and how they apply
forested valley, surrounded by today. It's very magical."
prairie farmland, this 60-acre
tract of land is home to a vast Visit a United Nations World
array of birds, wild animals and Heritage Site
foliage that can be easily
explored on foot, independently, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is
or via guided tours. older than the pyramids of Egypt;
older even than the archaic rocks
"People are really almost of Stonehenge in England. This
seven-storey interpretive centre, artifacts.
built into the sandstone cliffs
200 kilometres (140 miles) south Authentic, Magical First Nations
of Calgary, has reached Experiences
international fame not just for
its quirky name but also for its For anyone interested in a
unique exhibits. first-hand experience of the
magic and traditions of the
The facility - a United Nations province's founders, a visit to
World Heritage Site - pays homage Kak Ki Yaw Cultural Camp in Lac
to the First Nations citizens who La Biche is definitely in order.
for 6,000 years hunted and lived In addition to offering
in the region. In particular, the traditional First Nations
site documents the importance of experiences like sweat lodges and
the buffalo jump, an important outdoor survival techniques,
food and sustenance source that Elder and long-time trapper
provided meat, hides and bones Walter Quinn offers a tantalizing
(used for tools and weapons). glimpse into the structure,
routine and lifestyles of the
Visitors can walk on interpretive area's Aboriginal community.
trails among the wildflowers and
grasslands to view ancient rock So if you've been considering a
cairns used to funnel stampeding different type of vacation this
buffalo toward certain death on summer, an ecotourism adventure
the cliffs. The story of the in Alberta, Canada could be just
demise of the buffalo is the ticket.
documented via videos and
About the Author:
Author, Susan Mate, writes articles on Travel and Destination for Travel Alberta Canada. For more information, please visit http://www.travelalberta.com
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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